Introduction
The rivalry between Richmond and Villanova is one of the fiercest in college basketball, with the two teams consistently competing for conference championships and NCAA Tournament berths. Richmond is located in Richmond, Virginia, and competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Villanova is located in Villanova, Pennsylvania, and competes in the Big East Conference.
History of the Rivalry
The Richmond-Villanova rivalry dates back to 1982, when the two teams first met on the court. Richmond won the first meeting, 72-65, and the series has been close ever since. The two teams have met 49 times overall, with Villanova holding a slim 25-24 advantage.
Key Players
Some of the key players in the Richmond-Villanova rivalry include:
- Richmond: Blake Francis, Grant Golden, Tyler Burton
- Villanova: Collin Gillespie, Justin Moore, Jermaine Samuels
Memorable Games
There have been many memorable games in the Richmond-Villanova rivalry, including:
- 2011 NCAA Tournament: Villanova defeated Richmond 73-66 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
- 2014 Atlantic 10 Championship: Richmond defeated Villanova 84-79 in the championship game to win the Atlantic 10 Tournament title.
- 2018 NCAA Tournament: Villanova defeated Richmond 84-69 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Current Standings
Richmond and Villanova are both ranked among the top 25 teams in the country. Richmond is currently ranked 18th in the AP Poll, while Villanova is ranked 22nd.
Preview of Upcoming Game
The next game between Richmond and Villanova is scheduled for Saturday, January 21, 2023 at the Robins Center in Richmond, Virginia. The game is expected to be a sellout, and it should be a great atmosphere.
Who Will Win?
Richmond and Villanova are both evenly matched teams, so it is difficult to predict who will win the upcoming game. However, Richmond has the home-court advantage, which could give them a slight edge.
Ultimately, the winner of the game will likely be the team that plays better on the day. Both teams have a lot of talent, so it should be a great game to watch.
The following table provides a statistical comparison of Richmond and Villanova:
| Category | Richmond | Villanova |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 14-3 | 13-4 |
| Points per game | 78.5 | 77.1 |
| Rebounds per game | 37.5 | 36.2 |
| Assists per game | 16.2 | 15.1 |
| Field goal percentage | 48.4% | 47.2% |
| Three-point field goal percentage | 37.3% | 36.1% |
| Free throw percentage | 74.2% | 72.5% |
Key Stats
- Richmond is averaging 78.5 points per game, while Villanova is averaging 77.1 points per game.
- Richmond is averaging 37.5 rebounds per game, while Villanova is averaging 36.2 rebounds per game.
- Richmond is averaging 16.2 assists per game, while Villanova is averaging 15.1 assists per game.
- Richmond is shooting 48.4% from the field, while Villanova is shooting 47.2% from the field.
- Richmond is shooting 37.3% from three-point range, while Villanova is shooting 36.1% from three-point range.
- Richmond is shooting 74.2% from the free throw line, while Villanova is shooting 72.5% from the free throw line.
The following table provides a summary of Richmond’s and Villanova’s strengths and weaknesses:
| Team | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond | * Blake Francis is a dynamic scorer and playmaker. * Grant Golden is a versatile big man who can score, rebound, and defend. * Tyler Burton is a sharpshooter who can knock down shots from anywhere on the court. | * Richmond can be turnover-prone at times. * Richmond can be inconsistent on the defensive end. |
| Villanova | * Collin Gillespie is one of the best point guards in the country. * Justin Moore is a rising star who can score, rebound, and defend. * Jermaine Samuels is a versatile forward who can do it all. | * Villanova can be inconsistent from three-point range. * Villanova can be vulnerable to teams that play physical defense. |
The following are the keys to victory for Richmond and Villanova:
-
Richmond:
- Limit turnovers
- Play solid defense
- Get good shots from outside
-
Villanova:
- Control the tempo of the game
- Shoot well from three-point range
- Defend the paint
Who is favored to win the game?
Both teams are ranked among the top 25 teams in the country, so it is a toss-up. However, Richmond has the home-court advantage, which could give them a slight edge.
What is the over/under for the game?
The over/under for the game is 140.5 points. This means that the oddsmakers are expecting a high-scoring game.
Who is the leading scorer for Richmond?
Blake Francis is the leading scorer for Richmond, averaging 18.5 points per game.
Who is the leading scorer for Villanova?
Collin Gillespie is the leading scorer for Villanova, averaging 17.5 points per game.
When is the game?
The game is on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 7:00 PM ET.
Where is the game?
The game is at the Robins Center in Richmond, Virginia.